Packer



C. K. COLE PACKER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 8, 1965 R. O /W T N 7V, Ef 5 w MMA z M @www y J C. K. COLE June 27, 1967 PACKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1965 s@ NQQ 'Skaai/Vy@ June 27, 1967 c. K. COLE 3,327,620

PACKER Filed April d, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 /56 INVENTOR. /54 zw/Tame aff June 27, 1967 c. K. COLE PACKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1965 United States Patent O 3,327,620 PACKER Clayton K. Cole, 1821 Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Mich. 49007 Filed Apr. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 446,562 18 Claims. (Cl. 10G-52) This invention relates to a packing device and more particularly relates to a packer including -a ram reciprocable for packing material into a receptacle with a positive pressure.

In the past, a number of problems have existed in the art of package particles or objects into a 4receptacle which prior to the present invention either have not been fully recognized and hence remain substantially unsolved or which have up to now received solutions which are not completely satisfactory.

One of the problems which the present invention seeks to overcome is that of synchronizing the extension of a pair of pressure fluid cylinders powering the packing ram to insure even advancement of the ram plate regardless of unbalanced loads while being relatively inexpensive, capable of satisfactory performance and yet not interfering with the design of the rest of the packer.

A major problem in previous packers has been the excessively heavy construction used which has been required heretofore to withstand the large packing forces exerted by the means driving the ram on the packer housing as well as the large restraining forces required to maintain the receptacle in position of the outlet of the packer. This heavy construction has added greatly to the materials, assembly and shipping costs of previous packers. Moreover, such previous packers have been, by reason of their weight, limited to stationary installations whereas a portable packer may in certain situations service a larger number of receptacles.

Signalling of the operator when the container is filled, if previously provided has often been less than satisfactory. Previous ll sensing Imeans have, for example, been susceptible to error since they sense pressure on the ram rather than on the material packed in the receptacle.

It has often been the practice in the past, to reinforce the receptable entrance with excessively heavy and rigid members yto prevent damage to the receptacle by oversize objects which are forced by the ram thereagainst. However, such reinforcing is generally expensive since a number of receptacles may be serviced by a single packer of the operation and increases the weight of the receptacle thus reducing the portability thereof. Previous packers have often not been arranged for permitting the rams thereof to be quickly stopped to avoid crushing an object or a person inadvertently placed in front of the advancing ram. Under such circumstances, the machine operator must often react very quickly and may have insuflicient time to discriminate property between a plurality of similar appearing and similarly actuable controls in order to select the one which would stop the ram. It is even more dii-heult to quickly stop the ram in previous packers in which the controls are widely distributed over the machine or where the controls are placed at a xed location on the machine from which the operator may, at any given moment, be absent in order to inspect vother parts of the packer, to control means feeding the packer, or for some similar reason.

Hence, the objects of this invention include:

(1) To provide a packer having a ram reciprocable for forcing material into a receptacle with a positive pressure.

(2) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, in which a spaced parallel pair of pressure uid cylinders are disposed behind the ram for reciprocating same, in which the forward face of the ram is maintained substantially ice perpendicular to the path of its motion and is prevented from jambing in a cocked position despi-te substantial differences in the forces at different points on the ram face resisting forward motion thereof and in which minor deviations of the ram from perpendicularity with the path of its reciprocation are allowed to avoid constant small readjustments of the force or hunting of the ram cylinders.

(3) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, in which the receptacle is secured to the packer in a manner to prevent separation thereof as the ram forces material into the receptacle, in which the ram cylinders are xed with respect to the receptacle `by means the rigidity of which is substantially independent of the rigidity of the packer housing as a whole, in which the packer housing is not subjected to an appreciable portion of the reactive force of the ram cylinders and lreceptacle generated by highpressure packing of material into the receptacle by the ram and in which the packer housing along which the ram is reciprocated is relatively lightly constructed for low cost and weight.

(4) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, which is relatively compact and light in Weight and which may be in-I stalled in a iixed position or may be equipped so as to be readily moved, as on casters, to load receptacles at varying locations, which is atiixed to the receptacle at only a pair of points on said receptacle, in which the means locking the receptacle and packer together are readilyl accessible, `are located outside of the packer housing and receptacle and operate without the use of tools.

(5) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, in which the connection between the packer and receptacle is arrangedl so that at least the rearward portion of the packer tends to be forced more firmly downwardly against the surface supporting same during packing and so as to prevent any cocking or shifting of the packer with respect to the receptacle during loading.

(6) To provide a packer, `as aforesaid, in which sensing means are provided to detect filling of the receptacle to a predetermined pressure, in which the sensing means are energized by the restraining force exerted by the ram cylinder on the receptacle and in which the sensing means may be used to signal the operator and/or to restrict further packing.

(7) To provide a packer, as aforesaid= in which a gate is provided for closing the entrance of the receptacle after loading thereof to prevent loss of material compressed therewithin and in which the gate is force int-o position for closing the receptacle entrance by actuation of the rarn.

(8) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, which may be furnished with material continuously or intermittently and in which the material packed may be substantially any solid material in a wide range of sizes, shapes, comp-ressibilities or other physical characteristics.

(9) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, in which the housing includes a rigid breaker bar for protecting the adjacent upper edge of the receptacle entr-ance from damage `by objects extending above the ram and impelled thereby toward the receptacle entrance and in which the upper edge of the ram and the breaker bar cooperate for shearing off portions of objects extending above the r-am.

(10) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, in which the operator may boost the packing force of the ram by predetermined amount if desired, for example, to facilitate shearing objects caught between the ram and breaker bar or to facilitate installation of the gate in the receptacle entrance.

(l1) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, in which the controls can be manipulated by the operator, are rela- 3 tively few in number and are arranged and centrally located on a single control head, in which the control head is connected to Ithe packer by an elongated cable and is easily carried by the operator to a location spaced from the packer for enabling the operator to inspect the machine during its operation or to control a conveyor mechanism feeding the packer withou-t in any way jeop'ardizing control of the packer.

(12) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, which is particularly safe to operate, in which several controls, some of which normally perform nonanalogous functions o-r even opposite functions, wil-l if energized during an emergency stop the advancement of the ram so that the discrimination required of the operator stopping the advancing ram in an emergency will be minimized, in which the controls by which the packer may be stopped in an emergency are more readily operated than the remaining controls of the packer, in which emergency actuation of any of the several most readily operated controls, for example, the stop and start push buttons, will stop further extens-ion of the ram at any point in its travel, and in which any of said most readily operated controls m-ay be actuated to retract the ram immediately `after advance thereof is halted 'so as to relieve pressure which m'ay be exerted by the ram on anything in front thereof.

(13) To provide a packer, as aforesaid, which requires a lesser amount of expenditure on material for constructing same than commonly known previous packing devices, which is readily constructed of with commonly used tools and of economical and widely available material and parts, which is of sturdy construction for providing a long life with a minimum of maintenance and which is readily maintainable by persons of ordinary skill without special instruction.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is an obl-ique View partially in phantom, of .a packer embodying the invention and showing a phantom fragment of a receptacle cooperating therewith.

FIGURE 2 is a partially broken side elevational View of the packer of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view substantially as taken on the line III-III of FIG-URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, partially broken, fragmentary sectional view substantially as taken on the line IV-IV of FIGURE 3 and showing the release mechanism in a different position.

FIGURE 5 is a partially broken rear elevational view of the packer embodying the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially as taken on the line VI-VI of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry yof the packer embodying the invention.

IFIGURE 8 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuitry of the packer embodying the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a broken fragment of FIGURE 2 additionally showing -a receptacle cooperating therewith and a gate for closing the entrance of the receptacle.

yFIGURE lO is a front elevational view of the gate of FIGURE 8.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words iupw-ardly, downwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word forwardly will refer to the longitudinal direction of material flow through the packer, such flow being rightwardly in FIGURE 2. The word rearwardly will refer to a direction opposite the forward direction. The wo-rds inwardly and outwardly will refer to directions toward vand away from, respectively, the geometric center of the packer and receptacle and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and worlds of similar import.

General description In general, the objects and purposes of this invention are met by providing a packer comprising an elongated, substantial-ly rectangular housing. The forward end of the housing is open for communication with the entrance of a receptacle and the top of the housing adjacent the forward end thereof is open for receiving materia-l to be packed. An upstanding, transversely extending rarn plate is reciprocable longitudinally of the housing for pushing material from the forward end of the packer housing into the receptacle. T-he upper front edge of the packer is defined by `a rigid breaker bar located to protect the entrance of the receptacle from damage by objects extending above the top of the ram plate. A horizontally spaced pair of longitudinally aligned pressure fluid cylinders have piston rods engaging the back wall of the ram plate lan-d have rearward ends affixed to a rigid beam construction extending transversely .across `the packer housing. Each of the ends of the beam is connected by an elongated tension element to the receptacle for preventing separation of the receptacle from the packer as the ram plate forces material thereinto. Synchronizing means is provided for sensing cocking of the ram plate with respect to the axis of its motion which includes a flow control v-alve connected to the pressure uid cylinders to correct such deviations. Control of the packer is achieved through actuation of switches on a portable, hand held control head. The most read-ily actuable switches when actuated in an emergency will cause the advancing ram to stop and/or retract. A gate is 4provided for closing the entrance to thereceptacle upon filling thereof.

Detailed description The packer 10 (FIGURES l and 2) embodying the invention has an elongated and substantially rectangular housing generally indicated at 11. The housing 11 is formed by a framework generally indicated at 14 which includes a substantially horizontal and parallel `pair of gui-deways 12 and 13 which extend longitudinally of the sides 16 and 17, respectively, of the housing 11. The guideways 12 and 13 are formed as inwardly opening, substantially yrectangular channels, The rearward ends of the guideways 12 and 13 are attached to points inter-mediate the ends of the legs of an upstanding substantially U- shaped frame 18. Further upstanding U-shaped frames 21,

22 and 23 are spaced along the guideways 12 and 13 from the frame 18 and have upstanding, relatively short legs secured to the lower surface of said guideways 12 and 13..

The frame 23 is located at the forward end of the housing 11. Substantially vertical extensions 24 and 26 of the upstanding legs -of the frames 22 and 23, respectively, are carried by and affixed to the upper surface of the guide members 12 and 13. Angle members 27 and 28 parallel the guideways 12 and 13, respectively, and are spaced thereabove for connecting the tops of the leg-s of the frame 18 to the tops of the extensions 24 and 26.

A breaker ba-r 31 extends transversely across the forward end of the housing 11 to connect the upper ends of the extensions 26. The breaker bar 31 is constructed for maximum rigidity and is in the present embodiment of the invention of rectangular cross section, here being fabricated from one-half inch thick steel plates.

The `above-described parts of the framework 14 are preferably united by welding whereby the framework 14 is substantially rigid but relatively light in weight. The framework 14 also preferably includes support members one of which is shown at 32 (FIGURE 2) connected between the bottom portions of the frames 18 and 21 for supporting power supply means hereinafter described. The

coplanar bottom portions 33 and 34 of `a pair of chute defining sheets 36 and 37 (FIGURE l), respectively, are supported on the upper surface of the bight portions of the frames 21, 22 and 23. The portions 33 and 34 extend from the frame 21 to a point slightly lforward of the frame 23 to form a forwardly extending lip 3S. The portions 33 and 34 abut and are joined adjacent the center of the housing 11 by a plate 39 preferably welded thereto. The sheets 36 and 37 also include upstanding portions 41 and 42 which extend upwardly from the portions 33 and 34, respectively, to the bottom edge of the guideways 12 and 13, respectively. The upstanding portions 41 and 42 extend longitudinally from the frame 18 forwardly past the frame 23, the portion extending past the frame 23 tending to reinforce the lip 38. The upstanding portions 41 and 42 are both preferably affixed to the framework of the housing by welding. Upper side sheets 43 and 44 extend from the upper edge of the guideways 12 and 13 upwardly to the angle members 27 and 28 and extend longitudinally between the frames 18 and 26. In the particular embodiment shown, the side sheets 43 and 44 are flanged along their upper edges to cooperate with the angles 27 and 28 to form a substantially box-shaped upper rail. The sheets 36, 37, 43 and 44 are preferably welded to the framework 14, the sheets 43 and 44 and the portions 33 and 34 being flush with the inner edges of the guideways 12 and 13.

The lower edges of the side sheets 41 and 42 are in the present embodiment upwardly spaced from the guideways 12 and 13 between the frames 1S and 21 to define slots 40 and 40a (FIGURES 2, 3 and 6) respectively for reasons appearing hereafter. Elongated covers 45 and 45a (FIG- URES l and 5) are removably attached to the frame 18 and extensions 24 to cover the slots 4t) and 46a, respectively. The covers 45 and 45a are of L-shaped cross section, extending upwardly from the outer face of the guideways 12 and 13, respectively, and then inwardly to the top edge of the slots 40 and 40a, respectively.

The rearward portion of the housing 11 is preferably covered with a top sheet 46 (FIGURE 1) removably attached thereto by any convenient means, not shown. The top of the forward portion of the housing 11 defines an inlet opening 47 for receiving material to be packed. lf desired, a hopper such as indicated at 48 in broken lines, in FIGURE 1 may extend upwardly from the inlet open ing 47 to facilitate entry of material thereinto. If desired, a rear sheet, not shown, may be provided to cover the rear end of the housing 11. Casters 49 may be attached to the bottom portions of the frames 18 and 22 so that the packer maybe readily moved from one location of use to another. The casters 49 may be omitted should it be desired to permanently or semipermanently install the packer 1l) in a fixed position.

A ram, generally indicated at 51 (FIGURES 2 and 3) is longitudinally reciprocable along and within the housing 11 and includes a forwardly facing ram plate 52 which extends into close proximity with the sheets 36, 37, 43 and 44 (FIGURE l) and has an upper edge 53 spaced below the angle members 27 and 28 and somewhat below the breaker bar 31. The ram plate 52 has teeth 54 spaced up along the upper edge 53 thereof for cooperating with the breaker bar 31 to assist in shearing off of objects extending above the ram plate 52 as the ram is extended forwardly past the breaker bar 31. The ram plate 52 is preferably rigiditied by a gridwork of any convenient type affixed to the rearward face thereof which here includes a pair of transversely extending and vertically spaced channels 56 (FIGURES 2 and 3) which are approximately vertically `centered on the ram plate 52. A pair of upstanding and rearwardly extending panels 57 are located adjacent the side edges of the ram plate 52 and connect the ends of the channels 56. Said ram is here shown for convenience in illustration with a hat working face but same may be contoured as described without changing this invention.

Preferably identical carrier rails 58 and 59 are affixed to and extend rearwardly from respective ones of the side edges of the ram plate 52 adjacent the ends of the channels 56. Suitable bracing indicated generally at 61 maintains the ram plate 52 perpendicular to the carrier rails 5S and 59. The carrier rails 58 and 59 are disposed closely inwardly of the guideways 12 and 13, respectively, in parallelism therewith. In the particular embodiment shown, the carrier rails, exemplified by the carrier rail 58 (FIG- URE 6), each comprises an inwardly facing channel 62 closed at least adjacent the ends thereof by a plate 63 welded to the inner edges thereof. Horizontal stub axles 64 (FIGURES 2 and 6) extend outwardly from the carrier rails 58 and 59 adjacent the ends thereof and have rollers 66 rotatably disposed thereon. The rollers 66 are contained in and roll along the guideways 12 and 13 for supporting the ram 51 for reciprocation along the guideways 12 and 13. In the particular embodiment shown, the rollers 66 are each tapered to a small extent toward a point outside the housing 11 and the upper and lower walls 67 and 68 of the guideways 12 and 13 are correspondingly sloped to prevent transverse motion of the ram 51 and maintain same centered in the housing 11. Grease fittings 69 are here provided in the outer ends of the axles 64. The guideways 12 and 13 preferably include longitudinal slots 71 (FIGURES l and 6) between the frames 18 and 21 for allowing the rollers 66 to be greased without disassembly of the packer 10. The rollers 66 are longitudinally spaced sufficiently as to resist any significant tendency of the ram plate 52 to twist about a horizontal axis parallel thereto during extension of retraction thereof.

The bracing 61 carries a horizontal, substantially planar shield 74 (FIGURE 2) which extends rearwardly from the upper edge 53 of the ram plate S2 for a distance in excess of the length of the stroke of the ram plate 52. The side edges of the shield 74 lie closely adjacent the side sheets 43 and 44 for preventing entrance of material downwardly therebetween. A scraper sheet 76 extends transversely between the side sheets 43 and 44 and slopes forwardly and downwardly from the forward edge of the top sheet 46. The shield 74 slides closely beneath the lower edge of the scraper sheet 76. The rearwardmost position of the ram plate S2 is preferably directly below the bottom edge of the scraper sheet 76. The scraper sheet 76 and shield 74 cooperate to prevent material to be packed from falling behind the ram plate 52 as the ram 51 is advanced forwardly from its rearwardmost position shown. A substantially Z-shaped switch actuator 77 is carried on the rearward edge of the shield 74 and has a depending flange 78 and an upstanding flange 79 slightly rearwardly displaced from the flange 73. The actuator 77 is preferably located adjacent one side of the shield 74 the side adjacent the sheet 43. A front limit switch 72 is supported immediately behind the scraper sheet 76 in longitudinal alignment with the flange 79 for actuation thereby and a rear limit switch '73 is similarly affixed to the housing 11 in longitudinal alignment with the depending ange 78 of the switch actuator 77 for actuation thereby when the ram 51 reaches the rearwardmost position.

A rigid reaction beam 81 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 5) extends transversely between and is preferably welded to the legs of the rear housing frame 18 at the rearward ends of the guideways 12 and 13. In the particular embodiment shown, the beam 81 comprises a pair of parallel vertically spaced channels 82 and 83 (FIGURE 4) having opposed `bight portions. The channels 82 and 83 are connected by plates 86 and S7 welded to the rearward and forward faces thereof, respectively. A pair of annular bosses 88 are secured, preferably by welding, in vertical coaxial alignment to the outer faces of the bight portions of the channels 82 and 83 adjacent one end of the beam 81. Similar bosses 89 are similarly fixed adjacent the other end of the beam 81, the bosses 88 and S9 being disposed the same distances from the adjacent beam ends, In the particular embodiment shown, the bosses S8 and 89 are somewhat closer to the ends of the beam 81 than to the center thereof. A pair of ear-like members 91 and 92 (FIGURES 3, 4 and 5) extend outwardly from the ends of the beam 81 beyond the walls of the housing 11. In the particular embodiment shown, the ears 91 and 92 are angled forwardly and pass out of the housing through slots 93 (FIGURE 5) in the rearward ends of the guideways 12 and 13. The ears 91 and 92 fit snugly between the channels 82 and 83 and are preferably welded thereto.

Two preferably identical and elongated, double acting pressure fluid cylinders 96 and 97 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 5) have rearwardly extending, iiattened lugs 98 and 99, respectively. The lugs 98 and 99 are snugly received between the channels 82 and 83 of the beam 81 in alignment with the bosses 88 and 89, respectively, through suitable openings in the plate 87, one such opening being indicated at 101 in FIGURE 5. Removable vertical pins 102 and 103`pass through the coaxial openings in the annular bosses 88 and 89, respectively, in the bights of the channels 82 and 83 and in the respective lugs 98 and 99 for securing the rearward ends of the pressure uid cylinders 96 and 97 to the beam 81. Suitable means such as cotter pins `104 retain the pins 102 and 103. The pressure iiuid cylinders 96 and 97 have forwardly extending piston rods 105 and 106 respectively, (FIGURES 2 and 8). The piston rods 105 and 106 are secured to the rearward face of the ram plate 52 as shown in FIGURE 2 with respect to the rod 105 by a pin 107 which passes vertically through the piston rod and suitable coaxial bosses 108 fixed with respect to the channels 56 and ram plate 52. The pressure fluid cylinders 96 and 97 are thus arranged so that extension of the piston rods 105 and 106 'thereof will move the rarn 51 forwardly along the housing 11 and retraction of said piston rods will cause rearward movement of the ram S1. The stroke of the pressure fluid cylinders 96 and 97 is sufficient to allow the ram plate 52 to be extended beyond the breaker bar 31 and lip 38 to a position as indicated in broken lines at E.

The forward ends of the pressure fluid cylinders 96 and 97 are preferably supported substantially independently of the connection of the piston rods to the ram 51. Thus, each of the cylinders 96 and 97 is provided with resilient support 109 (FIGURES 2 and 5) comprising an upper sleeve 111 telescoped over a rod 112 and resting upon a spring 113. The spring 113 is adjustably supported 'on the rod 112 by nuts 114. The bottom of the rod 112 rests on and is secured to the bottom of the housing 11. The spring 113 is preferably adjusted to fully support the front end of the associated pressure iiuid cylinder when the piston rod thereof is fully extended and when the pressure fluid cylinder is filled with pressure fluid. The cylinders 96 and 97 are, in the present embodiment, hydraulic cylinders actuated by oil pumped thereinto but the use of pressure fluid cylinders of other types, for example, air cylinders, is fully contemplated.

The packer may be used to pack material into a receptacle 116 (FIGURES l and 9). In the particular embodiment shown, the receptacle 116 is provided with a preferably rectangular entrance 117 which is here defined by a rectangular entrance frame 118. The entrance 117 is Ypreferably Vlarge enough to admit the front end of the ram 51 thereto and is normally arranged so that the lip 38 overlies the top of the lower member of the frame 118. Fastening means, such as a pair of straps 119 (FIG- URE 1) are fixed to the rear face of the receptacle 116 preferably by welding. The straps 119 are disposed on opposite sides of the entrance 117 at points spaced outwardly therefrom and lie below the centers of the adjacent guideways 12 and 13.

Linkage generally indicated at 131 (FIGURES l, 3 and 4) and 138 connects the straps 119 on the receptacle to the opposite ends of the reaction beam. The linkage on at least one side of the packer 10, here the linkage 131, has means connected therewith for sensing the tension applied to such linkage 131. It is contemplated that the sensing means may be any of several forms, a preferred embodiment being illustrated which includes a sensing block 121. The rearward end of the sensing block 121 (FIGURE 4) is secured to one of the ears 91 and 92, here the ear 91, by a pin 122. The block 121 has a transverse opening 123 therethrough which communicates through a vertical slit 124 with the upper face of the block. Thus, a forward pull on the forward end of the block tends to widen the slit 124. An L-shaped switch bracket 126 is affixed to the top of the block 121 forwardly of the slit 124 and supports a switch 127. An actuating bracket 129 is secured to the top of the block 121 behind the slit 124 for bearing against the plunger 128 of the switch 127 for actuating said switch. A sufficient tensile force on the block 121 will displace the switch 127 from the actuating bracket 129 and deactuate said switch.

The forward end of the block 121 is connected to the corresponding strap 119 on the receptacle 116 by the remainder of the linkage 131 which is preferably substantially inextensible in the present embodiment and includes an elongated rod 132 -upon the ends of which are adjustably threaded clevises 133 and 134. The forward clevis 134 connects to a chain l136 and hook 135 which releasably engages the corresponding strap 119 on the receptacle 116. The rearward clevis 133 connects through a conventional over center release device 137 of any convenient type Ito the forward end of the block 121. With the clevises 133 and 134 properly adjusted along the rod \132, locking of the device 137 will take up the slack in the linkage i131 and when released provides enough slack that the hook may be removed from the strap 119.

Linkage 138, preferably identical to the linkage 131 but omitting inthe present embodiment the sensing means including the block 121 and switch 127, connects the ear 92 -to the corresponding one of the straps 119. When locked and properly adjusted in length, the linkages 131 and |138 position the receptacle 116 firmly against the forward end of the packer 10. Material, indicated in broken lines at M in FIGURE 9, as it is packed by the ram 51 into the receptacle 116 tends to urge the receptacle 116 and hence the linkages 131 and 138 forwardly with respect to the packer 10. Similarly, hindrance of the forward movement of the ram 51 by the material M causes the pressure fluid cylinders 96 and 97 to be urged rearwardly. The forwardly urged linkages 131 and 138 and the rearwardly urged pressure fluid cylinders are directly connected and maintained relatively fixed by the reaction beam 81. Thus, the housing 11, exclusive of the beam 81, is substantially unstressed by reactive forces generated by the cylinders 96 and 97 and receptacle 116 gllie to packing material into said receptacle by the ram A gate 141 (FIGURES 9 and 10) is supplied for closing the entrance 117 of the packed receptacle 116. In the particular embodiment shown, the ,gate 141 comprises a pair of uprights 142 spaced and connected by a plurality of spreaders 143. If desired wire mesh 144 Imay be affixed to the gate 141 between the spreaders and uprights, The uprights 142 are slightly longer than the height of the entrance 117. At least the lower ends of each of the uprights 142 are tubular for receiving therewithin a downwardly extending rod 146 urged downwardly by a helical compression spring A147 affixed to the upper end thereof. Loss of the rods 146 may be prevented by any convenient means such as connection of the spring 147y to both the rod 146 and upright 142. The width of the gate 141 is less than that of the entrance 117 and where relatively large objects or readily retained material is packed, the width of the .gate may be substantially less than that of the entrance 117. The receptacle 116 may be supplied with a door or removable panel, not shown, in the front wall thereof for emptying the packed receptacle and for receiving the gate 141.

Although in the present embodiment of the invention the pressure fluid system feeding the cylinders 96 and 97 is described for purposes of illustration as a hydraulic system, the use of other pressure fluids, such as air, is contemplated. The hydraulic system 151 (FIGURE 8) of the packer includes a fluid reservoir 152. The reservoir 152 connects through a conduit 153 to a filter 154. A sensor 155 of any convenient type monitors the condition of the filter 154. The lter 154 connects through a conduit 157 to a pump 158 energized as seen in FIGURES 3 and 5 by lan electric motor 156. The output of the pump 158 is monitored by a pressure gauge 159. The pump 158 connects through a pressure relief valve 161 back to the reservoir 152 and to a pressure switch 162 actuatable at a predetermined pressure, which in the present embodiment of the invention is 1250 p.s.i. In the present embodiment the relief valve opens at 1500 p.s.i. Finally, the pump 158 feeds the inlet of the 4-way valve 163. A conduit 164 connects the outlet of the 4-way valve 163 to the reservoir 152. One controlled port :166 of the 4-way valve 163 connects .to the common port of a flow divider valve 171. The remaining controlled port 167 of the 4-way valve 163 connects by conduits 168 and 169 to the rearward (lower in FIGURE 8) ends of the pressure fluid cylinders 96 and 97, respectively. The forward ends of the cylinders 96 and 97 connect through respective conduits 173 and 174 to the divided ports of the divider valve 171. Check valves 176 and -177 are connected to allow free uid flow from the opening 166 in the 4-way valve 163 therethrough to the conduits 173 and 174 but to prevent reverse ow. Thus, the relative flow of pressure uid exhausted from the forward ends of the cylinders 96 and 97 during forward movement of the ram 51 is controlled by the divider valve 171. On ythe other hand, the divider valve 171 has no effect on the exhaust flow from the rearward ends of the cylinders 96 and 97 accurring during retraction thereof.

The divider valve 171 is a part of a synchronizing mechanism generally indicated at 181 (FIGURES 3, 5 and 8) remainder of which mechanism serves to actuate the flow divider 171. The flow divider 171 is in the present embodiment a reciprocable spool valve having a spool 172 actuable by rods 183 and 184 extending axially therefrom. The flow divider 171 is preferably centrally mounted on the beam 81 by a plate 186 (FIGURE 3) so that the rods 183 and 184 parallel the beam 81 to points adjacent the beam ends. A mirror-imaged but otherwise preferably identical pair of bell cranks 191 and 192 are mounted on the beam 81 adjacent the outer ends thereof for pivotal movement about vertical axes. The bell cranks 191 and 192 have -rearwardly extending arms to which the outer ends of the rods 183 and 184, respectively, are pivotally affixed. The bell cranks 191 and 192 also have transversely outwardly extending arms which are connected to the rearward ends of cables 193 and 194, respectively. The sensitivity of the system may be improved, if desired, by making the bell crank arms connected to the ilow divider 171 longer than the transversely extending arms. A transverse support member 195 (FIG- URES 2 and 3) extends between the rearward ends of the carrier rails 58 and 59 of the ram 51. Vertically stacked pulley pairs 196 and 197 are supported for rotation about vertical axes at the ends of the support member 195 and are spaced forwardly from the bell cranks 191 and 192, respectively. The cable 194 extends from the bell crank 192 around the forward side of one of the pulleys 197, transversely across the housing 11, around the :rearward side of one of the pulleys 196 and forward therefrom along and above the guideway 12. The forward end of the cable 194 is anchored at 198 to the top of the guideway 12 between the frames 21 and 22. Similarly, the cable 193 extends from the bell crank 191 around the forward side of the other of the pulleys 196, around the rearward side of the other of the pulleys 197 and forwardly therefrom above the guideway 13 to an anchorage 199.

The anchorages 198 and 199 are preferably identical.

The anchorage 198 comprises a perforated lug 198a fixed to the housing 11. A rod 200 is fixed to and extends forwardly from the end of the cable 194 slideably through the perforated lug 19811. A spring 187 is telescoped over the rod 200. A fastener 189, here comprising a nut and locknut threaded on the forward end of the rod 200, retains the spring 187 on the rod 200. The fastener 189 is axially adjustable on said rod 200 for compressing the spring to a desired degree which in turn tensions the cable 194 to a predetermined extent. The spring 187 is sufiiciently stiff that the length thereof is not materially changed during actuation of llow divider 171 by the cables 193 and 194 as hereinafter described.

In cases where the sensitivity of the synchronizing mechanism is satisfactory without the unequal bell crank arm lengths above discussed, such bell cranks may be replaced by pulleys, if desired, located to allow the cables 193 and 194 to pass therearound to connect to the rods 183 and 184 directly. It is further contemplated that the rods 183 and 184 may in such circumstance be omitted, the cables 193 and 194 being lengthened to connect to the flow divider 171.

The slots 40 and 40a allow the outer edges of the pulley pairs 196 and 197, respectively and the longitudinal reaches of the cables 193 and 194 to be disposed above the guideways 12 and 13 respectively so that the forward ends of said cables may be anchored to the top of said guideways. A control head 201 (FIGURES 2 and 5) is connected by means of an extendable electric cable 202 to the housing 11 adjacent the rear end thereof for actuating circuitry hereinafter described. The control head 201 contains all of the manually actuable controls of the packer 10 and is of relatively small size and light weight so that it can readily be carried in the hand of the machine operator to various points around the packer 10. The control head 201 supports push button actuated startretract and stop switches 203 and 204, respectively, as well as a preferably key locked boost switch 205 and a two position rotatable selector switch 206.

Turning now to the electrical control circuit 207 (FIG- URE 7) of the packer 10, a transformer 208 has a primary 209 connected to a source of voltage, here for example a 440 volt source, and a secondary winding 210 which connects through a fuse 211 to a pair of conductors 212 and 213. The conductor 213 connects through a normally open interlock switch 2.14 to a further conductor 216.

A normally closed contact 222 of the stop switch 204, a junction point 226, a normally open contact 223 of the rearward limit switch 73 and the actuating coil 224 of the 4-way valve 163 (FIGURE 8) are connected in series across the conductors 212 (FIGURE 7) and 216. The coil 224 when energized causes the valve 163 to be shifted to its position shown in FIGURE 8 whereat it causes extension of the piston rods and 106. A normally closed contact 227 of the rearward limit switch 73 and the normally open automatic contact 228, of the selector switch 206 are connected in parallel between the junction point 226 and a terminal 229 of a magnetic starter unit generally indicated at 231. A normally open contact 232 of the start switch 203 is connected in series with the normally closed single contact 233 of the selector switch 206 between the line 212 and a terminal 234 of th magnetic starter unit 231. The magnetic starter 231 may be of any convenient type capable of energizing the motor 156 and closing the interlock switch 214 upon closure of the start switch 203 and capable of opening the interlock switch 214 and cle-energizing the motor 156 upon actuation of the stop switch 204 and, when the selector switch 206 is in its single mode, upon actuation of the rear limit switch 73 and hence opening of the contact 227 thereof. FIGURE 7 discloses for purposes of illustration only, a simplified example of such a magnetic starter which comprises a normally open latching switch 236 connected between the terminals 229 and 234 and a 1 l solenoid coil 237 connected between the terminal 234 and any convenient conductor, here the conductor 213, having a potential different from that of the conductor 212. The coil 237 is energizable to close the contacts 236 and 214 and a contactor switch 238 connecting the motor 156 to a source of electrical potential, for example 440 volts A.C. as indicated by the linkage lines 239, 241 and 242, respectively. A normally open contact 243 of the stop switch 204, a normally open contact 232 of the start switch 203 and the normally open front limit switch 72 are connected in parallel between the conductor 121 and a junction point 246. The normally closed boost switch 205 is 'connected in series with the normally open contact of the pressure switch 162 between the line 212 and the junction point 246. The other actuating coil 247 of the 4-way valve 163 (FIGURE 8) connects between the point 246 (FIGURE 7) and the conductor 216, The ac tuating coil 247 is energizable to move the core of the valve 163 leftwardly from its position shown in FIGURE 8 to cause retraction of the piston rods 105 and 106. In the particular embodiment shown, the normally open ll detection switch 127 is connected in series with a suitable alarm 248, such as a lamp or buzzer across the conductors 212 and 216. If desired, the alarm 248 might take the form of a lamp located adjacent or incorporated in the push button of the stop switch 204. A holding relay coil 251 preferably parallels the alarm 248 and has a contact 252 connected cross the switch 127. Thus, when current flows through the switch 127, the relay coil 251 will be energized to close the contact 252. The alarm 248 will thereby remain energized until, regardless of subsequent opening of the switch 127, the operator causes the switch 214 to open thereby shutting off the packer 10 as by full actuation of the stop switch 204 or placing the selector switch 233 in its single mode.

All of the switches disclosed in the circuit of FIGURE 7 are preferably urged, as by suitable return springs 249 or the like, to a position shown in the drawing except for the selector switch 206 which is stable in either its automatic or single position, that is, with either the contact 228 closed or the contact 233 closed. The circuit 207 is shown in FIGURE 7 in its normal at rest condition in which the limit switches 72 and 73 are unactuated, the ram 51 normally being positioned between its forwardmost and rearwardmost limiting positions. The start switch 203 and stop switch 204 are both preferably two position switches. For example, initial or partial actuation of the start switch 203 closes the contacts 232 but leaves the contacts 244 open, subsequent complete actuation of the start switch causing the contacts 232 and 244 both to be closed. Similarly, initial or partial actuation of t-he stop switch 204 closes the contacts 243 thereof while allowing .the contacts 222 thereof to remain closed, completion of actuation of the stop switch opening the contact 222.

Operation The packer 10 embodying the invention may be used to pack solid material of any desired type including waste material such as waste paper, broken timbers, etc. into a receptacle 116. Upon coupling the linkages 131 and 132 to the straps 119 of the receptacle 116 and locking the releases 137, waste material may be supplied by any convenient means such as manually or by a conveyor to the hopper 48 and hence to the inlet 47 of the packer 10. Material may be supplied continuously or intermittently to the packer 10 as desired. The following discussion assumes for purposes of convenience in reference only, that the electrical circuitry 207 of the packer 10 is in its normal at rest condition shown in FIGURE 7, the ram 51 being slightly ahead of its rearwardmost position.

The packer 10 is started by momentary partialactuation of the start button 203 whereby the contacts 232 close and the contacts 244 remain open. Closure of the contacts 232 energizes the magnetic starter 231 through the normally closed contacts 233 for turning on the motor 156,

closing the interlock switch 214, and for connecting the magnetic starter 231 to the parallel contacts 227 and 228 of the rearward limit switch 73 and the selector switch 206 through the latching switch 236. It will be seen that the single contact 233 of the selector switch 206 must be closed for the magnetic starter 231 to be energized and hence, the packer 10 will start only with the selector switch 206 in the single mode. The magnetic starter 231 will remain energized after release of the start switch 203, and hence opening at the contact 232 thereof, as long as the contact 222 of the stop switch 204 and either one of the parallel contacts 227 or 228 remains closed.

The motor 156 when started energizes the pump 158 to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic lines of the apparatus. With the 4-way valve 163 in its yat rest position of FIGURE S, pressure fluid flows into the reaward ends of the cylinders 96 and 97 to initiate forward movement of the ram 51. The ram 51 advances forwardly to pack material disposed in front of the ram plate 52 into the receptacle 116. Forward motion ofthe ram 51 continues until the upstanding flange 79 (FIG- URE 2) of the switch actuator 77 actuates the forward limit switch 72 for closing same. This energizes the coil 247 causing leftward (FIGURE 8) movement of the spool of the 4-way valve 163 'to energize the cylinders 96 and 97 for retraction of the ram 51. As the ram 51 retracts, the front limit switch 72 is released thereby de-energizing the coil 247. Rearward motion of the ram 51 continues until it approaches its reawardmost position whereby the rearward limit switch 73 is actuated opening the contact 227 thereof and closing the contact 223 thereof. Closure of the contact 223 energizes the coil 224 to shift the spool of the valve 163 rightwardly to its position of FIGURE 8 whichin turn energizes the cylinders 96 and 97 to move the ram 51 forwardly. If the selector switch 206 is still in its single opening of the position shown in FIGURE 7,

the above-mentioned contact 227 will, in view of the Open condition of the contact 228, cause the magnetic starter 231 to be de-energized thereby shutting off the motor 156 and opening the interlock switch 214 to de-energize the packer 10. The magnetic starter is arranged so that it will open the interlock switch 214 after the coil 224 has been energized. The hydraulic pressure remaining after the motor 156 is switched off is quickly dissipated in a short forward movement of the ram 51 to place same at its rest position just ahead of its rearwardmost position, thus completing one cycle of the ram operation.

Should the start switch 203 be fully actuated rather than partially actuated as above described, the contacts 204 thereof will be closed and the coil 247 of the 4-way valve 163 will be actuated to move the spool thereof leftwardly from its position shown in FIGURE 8. Thus, the pressure fluid cylinders 96ar1d 97 will rst retract the ram 51. The ram 51, being when at rest normally close to its rearwardmost position, quickly assumes such position thereby actuating the rearward limit switch 73. With the selector 206 still in its single position shown in FIG- URE 7, such actuation de-energizes the magnetic starter 231 and shifts the valve spool of the 4-way valve 163 rightwardly so that ythe remaining hydraulic pressure will return the ram 51 to its normal rest position as described hereinabove with respect to the end of the normal single mode cycle. Thus, full actuation of the star-t switch 203 d-oes not initiate the full packing cycle but rather simply fully retracts the ram 51 and then returns said ram to its rest position. To perform the full packing cycle, the packer 10 must therefore be started by a partial actuation rather than a full actuation of the start button 203. The fully actuated position of the start switch 203 is provided as a safety feature for use in emergencies as hereinafter described.

If desired, the selector switch 206 may be shifted to its automatic position for opening the contact 233 and closing the contact 228 at any time after the energization of the magnetic starter 231. Assuming, therefore, that the automatic mode has been selected, the cycle of ram operation continues as in the single mode until the ram starts a new forward stroke after actuating the rear limit switch 73. The automatic mode then continues in aman-ner different from the single mode. More specifically, in the automatic mode, opening of the rear limit switch Contact 227 upon actuation of the rear limit switch 73 does not cause the magnetic starter to shut off since potential from the line 212 is supplied to the magnetic star-ter 231 through the now closed automatic contact 228 of the selector switch 206. Thus, the packer will not shut olf at the end of a single ram cycle as it was in the single mode and the ram 51 will continue to move forwardly on a second packing stroke. When thus placed in the automatic mode, the ram 51 will normally continue to reciprocate. Should it be so desired while the ram 51 is reciprocating in the automatic mode, the selector switch 206 may be returned to the single position whereat the packer 10 will shut otf as the ram 51 next actuates the rearward limit switch 73 as above described with respect to the single mode of operation.

The packer 10 may be shut olf at any point during the cycle of the ram 51 Whether the machine is in its single or in automatic mode by any of several methods. First, the stop switch 204 may be fully actuated to open the contact 222 thereof and to close the contact 243 thereof. Opening of the contact 222 shuts off the magnetic starter 231 thereby opening the interlock switch 214 and shutting off the motor 156. The ram 51 then stops. It has been found with the particular components used in the circuit, that the ram 51 will simply stop if the stop button 204 is instantaneously fully energized but can, if desired, be made to stop and then retract slightly if moved at a slower rate through its partially actuated position.

In case of emergency, advancement of the ram can be stopped substantially instantaneously with only a bare minimum of discrimination and action by the operator. The electrical circuit 207 is arranged so that full or partial actuation of the stop button 204 and/ or full actuation of the start button 203 substantially instantaneously stops the advancement of the ram 51. It will be apparent that the push button switches 203 and 204 are the most readily actuable as well as the most likely to be actuated switches on the control head 201, full actuation thereof requiring only a simple manual depression until a mechanical limit is reached whereas the selector switch 206 is a rotatable switch and the boost switch 205 requires a key to operate.

Full actuation of the start switch 203 and partial actuation of the stop switch 204 results in closure of the contact 243 of the stop switch 204 and of the contact 244 of the start switch 203 either and both of which closures energize the coil 247 which shifts the core of the valve 163 leftwardly'to reverse the flow to the cylinders 96 and 97 and cause retraction thereof. Full actuation of the stop button 204 also opens, as above described, the contact 222 to de-energize the magnetic starter 231 and hence, as described above, stop the motor 156 and, thus, the ram 51. On the other hand, full actuation of the start button 203 and/or partial actuation of the stop button 204, after starting retraction of the ram 51, allows the ram to continue rearwardly till it actuates the rearward limit switch 73 which causes same to start forwardly again. In the single mode, the packer 10 shuts olf as the ram 51 starts forwardly as above described and the ram 51 will thus stop in its at rest position. In the automatic mode, the ram 51 will continue past its rest position. However, as this happens, a substantial amount of time has passed in Which the operator may consider at some length whether or not the machine needs to be brought to a permanent stop and may at his leisure stop the machine with full actuation of the stop button 204 in the normal manner if it is still necessary.

When the pressure in the hydraulic system rises above a predetermined level, here for example 1250 p.s.i., the pressure switch 162 is closed which normally actuates 14- the coil 247 to shift the spool of the valve 163 leftwardly to retract the cylinders 96 and 97. Since such a rise in hydraulic pressure is usually due to obstruction of forward movement of the ram, such rearward movement allows the pressure to drop below said level and normal operation of the device may then be resumed.

When desired, the forward pressure on the ram 51 may be increased or boosted by actuation, i.e., opening, of the boost switch 205. Opening of the boost switch 205 prevents closure of the pressure switch 162 from energizing the coil 247 thereby allowing the ram 51 to continue forward movement even after the pressure has past the maximum (in the present embodiment 1250 p.s.i.) allowed by the pressure switch 162. Hence, pressure could rise to a higher value limited by the pressure relief Valve 161 (FIGURE 8) such value being in the particular embodiment shown 1500 p.s.i. Thus, the forward -force of the ram can be increased in the particular embodiment shown by 20% as long as the boost switch 205 is held open. The extra ram force is useful, for example, for shearing olf objects extending above the top 53 of the r-am plate 52 in cooperation with the breaker bar 31 and for packing a final charge of material into the receptacle or closing the receptacle with the gate 141. A key lock or other suitable lock device on the boost switch prevent inadvertent actuation thereof in an emergency and at least hampers actuation thereof by unauthorized personnel.

As the ram 51 packs material into the receptacle 116, the receptacle 116, particularly as it app-roaches its filled condition, is urged away from the housing 11 due to the forward force exerted thereupon through the material and .by the moving ram 51. The linkages 131 and 132 prevent movement of the receptacle with respect to the housing 11. The tensile force on the linkage 131 tends to separate the switch 127 from the actuating bracket 129 on the block 121. By adjustment of the clevises 133 and 134 on the rod 132, the value of the tension of the linkage 131 at which the switch 127 is released can be closely determined. If desired, the released switch 127 may thus be caused to actuate the alarm 248 either when the receptacle 116 is filled or, alternatively, at a point several ram reciprocatious in advance of the filled condition. Thus, in the latter case, the operator is given warning in advance of the lled condition so that he may have time, for example, to shut olf a material source supplying the packer 10, to get the gate 141 ready for placement or to resolve other details of operation. It will be noted that the switch 127 cannot be actuated by jambing of .a tall object between the breaker bar 31 and the ram 51, but is sensitive only to the pressure on the material within the receptacle 116.

The synchronizing mechanism 181 substantially prevents cocking of the ram 51 about a vertical axis due to uneven retarding of the sides of the ram plate 52 during advancement. Should one side edge of the ram plate 52, for example, the edge adjacent the anchorage 198 (FIG- URE 3), lead the other, the corresponding pulley pair 196 will lead the pulley pair 197. As a result, the rear- Ward end of the cable 193 moves forwardly thereby causing a counter-clockwise pivoting of the bell crank 191 to pull the rod 183 outwardly or rightwardly as seen in FIG- URE 8. The offset of the pulley pairs 196 and 197 loosens the cable 194 to allow the spool of the valve 171 to shift rightwardly. The consequent rightward shift of the spool of the valve 171 at least partially blocks the line 173 from the forward end of the leading cylinder 96. The resulting restriction of exhaust ow from the cylinder 96 at least partially retards advancement of the piston rod to return the ram plate 52 to substantially perpendicularity to the longitudinal axis of the housing 11. As the piston rod 105 loses its lead over the piston rod 106, the spool of the valve 171 returns to its middle or rest position to once again equalize exhaust flow from the forward ends of the cylinders 96 and `97. In la similar manner, the mechanism 181 corrects leading of the pisi @a ton rod 106 over the piston rod 105 during advancement of the ram 51.

It will be noted that the flow divider valve 171 is preferably placed in communication with the forward ends of the cylinders as shown in the drawings rather than with the rearward ends thereof. Experimentation has shown that blocking of exhaust flow positively prevents further advancement of a cylinder rod while blocking -fluid flow to the inlet of the cylinder does not. It has been found, that in the event of obstruction of advancement of one sideward edge of the ram plate, that the opposite side of the ram plate tends to be advanced 'by the cylinder adjacent the blocked side unless the remaining or opposite side cylinder is positively blocked against forward ram movement. Thus, an inlet controlled cylinder is not as effective in controlling cocking of the ram as the outlet controlled cylinders disclosed herein. Further, it has been found that the piston of air inlet controlled cylinder will tend to suck air into the .inlet end of lthe cylinder when the inlet is closed and the piston rod is pulled in an advancing direction, thus introducing air into the pressure uid system.

It is contemplated that, if desired, the cables 193 and 194 may be replaced by other elements suc'h as chains and the pulley pairs 196` and 197 correspondingly replaced by sprockets. It is further contemplated that one side of the spool of the valve 171 may be engaged by a suitable tension spring extending sidewardly therefrom and xed to the housing 11, su-ch spring replacing, for example, the cable 193 and rod 183.

The check valves 176 and 177 allow free fluid flow therethrough from the line 166 to the forward end of the cylinders 96 and 97 and hence act to bypass the flow divider valve 171 during retraction of the ram 51. Thus, the flow divider valve 171 does not inuence the retraction of the ram 51. Adjustment of the relative rates of retraction of the piston rods 105 and 106 is not required since no signicant unbalanced loads lare placed upon the ram 51 during retraction thereof. After one receptacle 116 has been filled and, if desired, gated with the gate 141 as above described, the linkage 131 and 132 may be released from the straps 119 on said receptacle 116 and a new receptacle 116 and the packer 10 can be moved Vone to the other so that the packer may engage said new receptacle 116 for filling.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent that variations or modications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of Vthe invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are dened as follows:

' 1. In a packer mechanism for packing material into receiving means, the combination comprising:

a reaction member and ram means extendablel for packing material into said receiving means and fixed with respect to said reaction member;

linkage for connecting said reaction member to said receiving means, said linkage including sensing means actuable upon predetermined tensioning of said linkage for signalling a condition related to the lling of the receiving means;

whereby said reaction member prevents said receiving means from being pushed out of position by said ram means during extension thereof.

2. In a packer for packing material into a receptacle aligned therewith, the combination comprising:

an elongated housing having a forwardly opening outlet;

a reaction beam carried by and extending transversely of said housing and displaced from said outlet;

a spaced substantially parallel pair of pressure fluid cylinders spaced along said beam and in fixed relation thereto, said pressure fluid cylinders having elements reciprocable with respect to said housing and extendable forwardly from said beam;

a ram supported with respect to said housing for reciprocation longitudinally thereof and fixed with respect to said elements;

tension linkage connected adjacent each end of said reaction Vbeam and extending linearly and substantially forwardly therefrom beside said housing for connection to the receptacle which said packer is to pack;

whereby forward movement of said ram in response to extension of said elements of said pressure uid cylinders for packing material into said receptacle urges said receptacle away from said housing and urges said pressure fluid cylinders rearwardly along said housing, the resistance of said linkage to tensile forces and said reaction beam preventing movement of said receptacle and 'pressure fluid cylinders in response to such urging.

3. The device defined in claim 2 including a breaker bar extending transversely of said housing along one side of said outlet opening, said ram being capable of extension forwardly therepast; and

an inlet opening in a longitudinal wall of said housing adjacent said breaker bar for allowing material to be placed in front of said ram;

whereby portions of objects to be packed which extend beyond said one edge of said ram are sheared off as said ram passes said breaker bar for allowing limiting the size of objects forced into said receptacle.

4. The device defined in claim 2 including a substantially planar gate of length greater than the height of said ram and width less than said ram, said gate having resiliently outwardly urged, telescoping rods at the lower end thereof, the upper end of said gate being disposable in said outlet opening near the upper edge thereof and said rods lbeing disposable against the lower edge of said ram whereby forward motion of said ram telescopes said rods into said gate, moves said lower end of said gate out said outlet opening and then -allows said rods to again extend to block the entrance to a receptacle communicating with said outlet opening.

5. The device dened in claim 2 in which linkage connected to at least one end of said reaction beam includes means for sensing the tensile force applied to said linkage; and

including means energizable by said sensing means for signalling the filling of said receptacle.

6. The device defined in claim 2 including a How divider valve for governing the relative exhaust flow of pressure from the forward ends of said cylinders during forward movement of said ram;

synchronizing means connected to said divider valve and to said ram for actuating said divider valve in response to advancement of one of said elements past the other to reduce said exhaust flow from the pressure cylinder corresponding to the leading element;

check valves connected to the forward end of said pressure uid cylinders and shunting said divider valve for allowing fluid supplied to the forward ends of said cylinders during retraction thereof to bypass said divider valve.

7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein said synchronizing means includes pulley means fixed with respect to said ram on opposite sides 4thereof and behind the forward end thereof;

Ia pair of flexible elements, the forward ends of said elements being fixed to said housing on opposite sides thereof, each of said elements extending rearwardly from its forward end, around the rearward side of the pulley means Ialigned therewith, transversely across said housing and around the forward side of the adjacent pulley means to extend rearwardly therefrom;

a bell crank fixed with respect to said housing to the rear of each of said pulley means and being attached to the rearward end of the corresponding one of said flexible elements;

a rod connecting each of said bell cranks to said ow divider valve so that advancement of one side of said rain past the other side of said ram tensions one of said flexible elements for actuating said flow divider valve to retard said one side of said ram.

8. The device defined in claim 2 including a portable control head for controlling the operation of said packer, said control head having a start switch operable connected to start the packer and a stop switch connected lto stop the packer, said switches 'also being connected in a manner that actu-ation of at least one of said stop and start switches when the ram is advancing will stop said ram and retract same through at least a portion of its stroke.

9. The device defined in claim 2 including a pressure switch responsive to iiuid pressure applied to said pressure fluid cylinders and means energizable thereby for stopping advancement of said ram and retracting same at a predetermined pressure; and

a manually actuable boost switch connected in circuit with said pressure switch, said boost switch being actuable to prevent energization of said energizable means thereby allowing the ram to continue advancing despite actuation of said pressure switch.

10. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said linkage slopes transversely outwardly and downwardly as it extends forwardly whereby tensile forces exerted upon the linkage during filling of the receptacle tend to pull the rearward end of the packer downwardly and tend to center the receptacle transversely of and in a longitudinally aligned position with the packer.

11. In a device for synchronizing the advancement of a side-by-side pair of pressure fiuid cylinders having piston rods actuable for advancing a load along a path, the combination comprising:

a source of iiuid under pressure;

a iiow divider valve connected between said pressure iiuid cylinders for regulating exhaust fiow therefrom upon advancement of said load;

means for supplying pressure fiuid from said source to said pressure fiuid cylinders for alternatively advancing and retracting said piston rods;

means for disconnecting said fiow divider valve from said pressure fluid cylinders during retraction thereof;

transfer means disposed on each side of said load, an elongated element extending rearwardly from a point fixed with respect to said path around the rearward edge of one of said transfer means across said path and around the forward edge on the other of said transfer means;

means for connecting the rearward end of said elongated element to said fiow control valve and means for maintaining at least a predetermined tension in said elongated element whereby said flow control valve is adjusted in response to advancement of one side of said load past the other side of said load for impairing exhausting of the advanced cylinder.

12. In a material packing construction, the combination comprising:

a packer having a reciprocable ram therein and an outlet opening through which the ram may force material;

a receptacle and means for attaching said receptacle to said packer, said receptacle having an entrance in communication with the outlet opening of said packer;

a gate having resiliently extensible legs at one end thereof, said gate being normally disposed in a sloped condition with respect to the axis of said packer, said one end thereof bearing against said ram and the opposite end thereof 4being inserted in said entrance;

whereby movement of said ramv toward said entrance pushes said gate through said entrance to block same, extension of said legs of said gate preventing a return of said gate through said entrance.

13. In a packer mechanism for packing material into receiving means, the combination comprising:

a packer housing;

ram means extendable along said housing from a first point thereon toward said receiving means;

a reaction member fixed to said housing at a second point spaced from said receiving means beyond said first point, said ram means having energizing means fixed against movement away from said receiving means by said reaction member;

linkage spaced from said housing and connecting said reaction member to said receiving means;

whereby said linkage prevents said receiving means and reaction member from being pushed out of relative' position by said energizing means during extension of said ram means.

14. In a packer mechanism for packing material into receiving means, the combination comprising:

means defining a zone adjacent said receiving means and a ram reciprocable, the limits of travel of said ram lying within said zone through said zone;

a transverse reaction beam spaced by said zone from said receiving means and energizing means extending from said reaction beam to said ram for causing said ram to pack material into the receiving means;

elongated tension elements connected from the ends of said reaction Ibeam to said receiving means for tensionally resisting further separating thereof;

whereby said reaction beam and tension element prevent said receiving means from being pushed out of position by said ram means during extension thereof.

15. The device defined in claim 13 in which said linkage comprises an elongated tension element disposed on each side of said housing and said reaction member lies to the rear of said energizing means, said elements extending past said energizing means and ram means and diverging from said reaction member toward said receiving means to stabilize the receiving means transversely of said housing without subjecting said packer housing to transverse distortion.

16. The device defined in claim 14 including manually actuable start means responsive to an actuating force less than a first preselected value for causing said energizing means to move said ram, and further including manually actuable stop means responsive to an actuating force less than a second preselected value for stopping movement of said ram by said energizing means;

said start means and stop means each including means responsive to application of an actuation force thereto in excess of said first and second values, respectively, for stopping movement of said ram means by said energizing means;

whereby inadvertent actuation of the start button rather than the stop button by the operator under emergency conditions will still prevent further advancement of the ram.

17. An operator actuated safety control system for a packer mechanism having a reciprocable ram actuable for packing material into a receptacle, the control system comprising in combination:

a control panel;

a start switch on said panel having a manually actuable switching element supported for movement in a first direction, said switching element having a partially actuated position and a fully actuated position, a first set of contacts shorted by said element when partially actuated and a second set of contacts shorted by said element when fully actuated;

means connecting to said first contacts and responsive to shorting thereof for causing said ram to advance material into said receptacle;

means connected to said second contacts and responsive to shorting thereof for retracting said ram away from said receptacle;

a stop switch on said panel having a manually actuable switching element supported for movement in a direction parallel with said rst direction, said switching element of said stop switch having a partially actuated and a fully actuated position7 third contacts shorted by said stop switching element when its partially actuated position and fourth contacts shorted 4by said stop switching element when fully actuated;

means connecting one of said third and fourth contacts in parallel with said second contacts for retracting said ram and further means fory stopping said ram connected to the other of said third and fourth contacts;

'whereby the ram will at least stop advancing if either of said stop and start switches is fully activated in the confusion of an emergency and can be made to retract by full activation of the start switch or partial operation of the stop switch.

18. In a packer mechanism for packing material into receiving means, the combination comprising:

a transverse reaction beam spaced from said receiving means and means extendable from said reaction beam for packing material into the receiving means;

elongated tension elements connected to and between said reaction beam 'and said receiving means for tensionally resisting `further separating thereof;

means for guiding said ram means along a substantially linear path during extension thereof, synchronizing means for maintaining said ram means in a predetermined alignment with'respect to said path during extension thereof and means disconnecting said ram means from said synchronizer means during retraction of said ram means;

whereby said reaction beam and tension element prevents said receiving means from 'being pushed out of position by said ram during extension thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 358,375 2/1887 Billings 100-99 955,852 4/1910 Coyle 10G-258 2,484,908 10/ 1949 Purcell 100--258 2,729,943 1/ 1956 Clarke et al. 100--258 2,978,976 4/1961 Hazelton et al. 100-46 3,059,431 10/1962 Munschauer et al. 100-46 X 3,129,657 4/1964 Farley et al. 100--214 3,229,618 1/1966 OConnor 100-51 3,229,622 l/1966 French et al 100--214 3,231,107 1/1966 Clar 214--38 3,250,414 5/1966 Pioch 214-302 BILLY I. WILHITE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A PACKER MECHANISM FOR PACKING MATERIAL INTO RECEIVING MEANS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A REACTION MEMBER AND RAM MEANS EXTENDABLE FOR PACKING MATERIAL INTO SAID RECEIVING MEANS AND FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID REACTION MEMBER; LINKAGE FOR CONNECTING SAID REACTION MEMBER TO SAID RECEIVING MEANS, SAID LINKAGE INCLUDING SENSING MEANS ACTUABLE UPON PREDETERMINED TENSIONING OF SAID LINKAGE FOR SIGNALLING A CONDITION RELATED TO THE FILLING OF THE RECEIVING MEANS; WHEREBY SAID REACTION MEMBER PREVENTS SAID RECEIVING MEANS FROM BEING PUSHED OUT OF POSITION BY SAID RAM MEANS DURING EXTENSION THEREOF. 